Entertainment Device

ABSTRACT

An entertainment device comprising an apparel ( 1 ) or a garment meant to be worn on the upper part of the body depicting at least one portion of an animate part in the front part of the apparel, an animate part  12 ) comprising of an indicia ( 3 ) (design or motif) and an insignia ( 4 ) (patch or a badge) affixed to said apparel, means for inducing animation in said apparel attached to said animate part comprising an interlock system affixed to the rear side of the front part of the apparel displaying at least one portion of said animate part and means for inducing animation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of PCT/IN2012/000305, filed Apr. 26, 2012, which claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 634/KOL/2011, filed May 6, 2011, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an entertainment device. More particularly, the subject invention describes a semi-automatic entertainment device depicting at least one portion of an animate object induced by the displacement of at least one portion of the said entertainment device. The present invention also provides means for inducing the said animation to the entertainment device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Entertainment devices occur in a variety of commodities ranging from electronic gadgets, audio/video devices, toys, multimedia, to name a few. The means of entertainment has grown leaps and bounds in the recent years and its expansion has emerged into a new commodity of goods known as entertainment apparels.

Entertainment apparels such as wearable garments and fabric are being made utilizing depictions of a portion of an animate object and having means attached thereto for creating an appearance of animation to the said depiction. These apparels particularly appeal children and youngsters who are attracted towards the animation created and have an urge of wearing the same. Sometimes, these entertainment devices act as a source of education and learning also. Since the mass caters to such type of entertainment devices, the situation can be exploited as a source of revenue generation by creating market for these devices.

There are a number of patents related to different types of such wearing apparels which have broadly been termed as entertainment devices.

Indian patent application no. 1677/KOL/2007 discloses a novel wearing apparel with moving parts as a source of entertainment comprising features or indicia formed on the apparel and means for inducing animation attached to the said apparel. The animation is brought into action by means of the movement of limbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,699 discloses a child's skirt with a pull-cord which actuates downward movement of a calf head and simultaneously triggers the mooing mechanism by exerting a tug on the pull-cord.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,353 narrates a body puppet and teaching aid in the form of a T-shirt having indicia exhibiting a human face and a biasing patch provided with a slot, and an underlying graphic patch for showing teeth and a tongue when the slots in the mouth indicia and biasing patch are opened following the manipulation of the T-shirt material in the proximity of the mouth.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,769 granted to Paterson discloses a garment like T-shirt having indicia formed on the garment depiction at least a portion of a human face and carrying an actuating means which is a length of transparent line operable connected to the animating means and tied to the user's foot or shoe such that while walking the indicia achieve an appearance of alimentation.

The means for inducing animation attached to the said apparel disclosed in the first patent application utilizes a multi-layered fabric of polymeric material and the movement is aided with the help of elastic strings or strings attached to polymeric tubular bodies affixed on the reverse side of the said movable part i.e., on the part close to the human body. The type of fabric used for inducing animation is harsh and uncomfortable to wear by a human being. Moreover, it will pose difficulty while washing the said apparel.

The complexity of the devices disclosed in the second and third patents mentioned above makes such devices relatively difficult or even impractical for mass production. Garments to be worn close to a user's body cannot be comfortably used in these devices as they utilize rigid or semi-rigid moving parts.

As per Paterson's patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,769) use of an extended transparent material running through the entire length of trousers from waist down to shoes or foot of the user often lacks in comfort factor. Moreover, repeated stretching of the length of transparent line may in time reduce the resiliency of the garment, so that the effectiveness of the device in replication life is diminished, and the shape of the garment also runs the risk of being distorted.

There is thus an unmet need in the art for such an entertainment device which provides an improved result as compared to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention attempts to solve the problems faced by the devices of the prior art and aims at providing a simple, inexpensive yet durable entertainment device having enjoyable and interesting indicia capable of achieving a feature of animation semi-automatically. The present invention also caters to an entertainment device capable of inducing animation, the said entertainment device being user friendly, delicate to the dermal layer and washable without the loss of texture and/or deformation of the animated features depicted on the said entertainment device.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a semi-automatic entertainment device depicting at least one portion of an animate object induced by the displacement of at least one portion of the said entertainment device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for inducing the said animation to the entertainment device.

One other object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment device which utilizes user friendly materials for its structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment device which is easily washable, thus retaining its original shape after washing and has a better durability.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment device which is cost effective, hence affordable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a technique of inducing animation in the said entertainment device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present disclosure will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of indicia in a normal position of the arms according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates the front view of indicia in a displaced position of the arms according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part in the normal position of the arms according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part in the displaced position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view an indicia in a normal position of the arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an indicia in a displaced position of the arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part in the normal position of the arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part in the displaced position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a semi-automatic entertainment device comprising:

a. an apparel or a garment meant to be worn on the upper body depicting at least one portion of an animate part/object in the front part of the apparel. b. an animate part/object further comprising of an indicia (design or motif) affixed to said apparel, an insignia and an interlock system affixed to the rear side of the front part of the apparel. c. means for inducing animation attached to said apparel including a strap/string and deformable elastic thread, responsible for the displacement of at least one portion of said entertainment device.

DEFINITIONS

In order that the invention is more completely understood the following definitions are set forth.

Indicia according to the present invention, is defined as any discriminating marks, signs, tokens, indications or appearances on any object.

Insignia according to the present invention is defined as a badge, or some symbols mounted on a particular object.

Double layered cloth according to the present invention includes a layer of the cloth of the apparel and the fusing fabric material (buckram) which is fused at the definite position on the front part of the apparel.

Interlock system comprises of the square/rectangular double layered cloth parts named as moving parts stitched/attached together or to the insignia or to the means of the inducing animation at a definite position on the animate part.

Rear side of the apparel according to the present invention is the internal/back part of the cloth on the front part of the apparel.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparel a T-Shirt is used and an animate part or object is mounted/attached/stitched on it which acts as entertainment device. Before mounting the animate object (2) or indicia and insignia on the apparel in the semiautomatic entertainment device, the said indicia and insignia is fused with the fusing fabric material. The purpose of fusing the animate object or indicia/insignia with the fusing fabric material is for providing stiffness and retaining the shape of the indicia/insignia after washing. The fusing material which we normally used in shirt collar and called as Buckram.

At least one means such as a strap/string and at least another means such as a deformable elastic thread are stitched on the rear side of the fused animate object or insignia/moving parts. Thereafter, another means such as the deformable elastic thread is stitched to the apparel at a pre-determined position. Then at least one means such as the strap/string is inserted through the at least one slit created for the insertion of the at least one means such as the strap/string. The one end of the strap/string is attached/stitched to the rectangular moving parts at a definite position. The other end of the strap that is inserted through the slit is stitched adjacent to the armpit region in a manner such that at least one fold is created due to the respective stitch. The said one fold created by the strap/string in order to generate extra pressure induced by the displacement of the said entertainment device while moving the arm in backward/forward position, thus enabling simulation of animation in the said entertainment device. At least one additional layer of fabric material is stitched inside the apparel for protecting the subject's body from the at least one means such as the strap and the said fusing fabric material. Optionally, the region where the indicia/insignia is mounted on the apparel can be covered by a transparent fabric material such as nylon stitched around said indicia/insignia providing an additional layer of protection.

In the another embodiment of the present invention, the semi-automatic entertainment device comprising an apparel used for creating an appearance of animation for the purpose of entertainment can be controlled manually. In the present invention, an animate part or object is mounted/attached/stitched on the apparel which acts as entertainment device. Before mounting the animate object (2) or indicia/insignia on the apparel in the semi-automatic entertainment device, said indicia/insignia is fused with the fusing fabric material at a definite position in the front part of the apparel.

At least one of the means such as a strap/string is attached/stitched to the insignia at one end and other end is inserted through the recess/slit created for the insertion of the strap/string on the apparel. The one end of the strap/string is attached/stitched to the rectangular moving parts of the interlock system at a definite position and the other end of the strap/string is attached to the apparel at a definite position on the rear side of the apparel. At least another means such as a deformable elastic material are stitched on the rear side of the fused animate object or insignia at a pre-determined position. If the apparel is pulled along with the end of the string, generate extra pressure resulting in stretching of the elastic thread. The stretching of the elastic thread in turn stretches and pulls the apparel results in the displacement of the movable parts creating an impression of the animation. At least one additional layer of fabric material is stitched inside the apparel for protecting the subject's body from the at least one means such as the strap and said fusing fabric material. Optionally, the region where the indicia/insignia is mounted on the apparel can be covered by a transparent fabric material such as nylon stitched around said indicia/insignia providing an additional layer of protection.

The present invention has number of advantages such as:

The fabric used in the present invention is not harsh and more comfortable to wear in comparison to previous arts and it would be easy to wash.

The apparel comprised of present invention can be mass produced practically.

The parts used in the invention are more flexible in movement and can be comfortably used in said device.

The invention provides a simple, in expensive, durable entertainment device.

The invention is user friendly, delicate to the dermal layer and washable without loss of texture or deformation of animated features depicted on said entertainment device.

The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying examples drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various forms. Thus, the embodiments of the present disclosure are only provided to explain more clearly the present disclosure to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

Example 1

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 illustrates the semi-automatic entertainment device comprising an apparel (1) meant to be worn on the upper part of the body. A design or motif/indicia (3) printed or affixed on the front part of the apparel at the definite position and is fused with a fusing fabric material (9) at a definite position on the rear side of the front part of the apparel creating a patchy appearance. The said fusing fabric material (9) provides stiffness to the rear surface that would be covered by the animate object (2) in the semi-automatic entertainment device. This protects the area covered under the animate object or indicia/insignia of the semi-automatic entertainment device from deforming upon washing, thus retaining its shape. To said patchy portion, at least one slit (5) is created for the insertion of at least one means such as a strap (10) through said one slit.

FIG. 2 describes the front view of the animate part and the position of the animate part when the arm moves apart backward or forward in a position (8). The animate part (2) moves up through the recess (6) creating an impression of the animation. The to and fro movement of the insignia is executed with the help of a strap (10) which is attached to insignia/moving parts. The entire set of insignia being mounted on the fusing fabric material (9), the edges being secured by pasting or adequate stitching all around the insignia. The backwardly displaced position of the arm creates pressure and pulls the strap/string on the reverse side or internal side of the front part of the apparel causing movement of the rectangular movable parts (14)/insignia (4) along with the recess (5) and this movement is aided by the help of elastic thread (11) and strap/string (10) attached to the movable parts/insignia at one end and to the inside surface of the apparel to the other end. The elastic thread attached to the insignia and the apparel helps the animated part to revert to the normal position when the arm comes to rest.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part (2) in the normal position of the arms (7) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure describes the arrangement of mechanism/interlock system of the moving parts (14) of as depicted in the FIG. 1 in which animate part consist of double layered cloth comprised of a fusing fabric material (9) fused at a definite position on the rear side of the front part of the apparel punctuated by a recess or eyelets' to allow movement of the movable parts/insignia (4).

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part (2) in the displaced position (12) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It depicts the position of the assembly of the FIG. 2 when arm moves apart/backward/forward (8) while walking and said assembly gets tilted due to the stretching of the elastic thread (11) and in turn stretches and pulls the strap (10). This results in the displacement of the movable parts (14) creating an impression of the animation.

Example 2

Another embodiment of the invention has been presented in the FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of indicia (3) in a normal position of the arms according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. A design or motif (indicia) printed or affixed on the front part of the apparel (1) at the definite position and fused with a fusing fabric material (9) at a definite position on the rear side of the front part of the apparel for creating a patchy appearance at rear side of the front part of the apparel. To said patchy portion, at least one slit (5) is created for the insertion of at least one means such as a strap/string (10) through said at least one slit.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of indicia (3) in a displaced position of the arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure describes the front view of the animate part (2) and the position of the animate part when it moves up through the recess (5) creating an impression of the animation. The to and fro movement of the insignia is executed with the help of a strap/string (10). The entire set of insignia being mounted on the fusing fabric material (9) of the front part of the apparel, the edges being secured by pasting or adequate stitching all around the insignia. If the apparel is pulled along with the end of the string, generate extra pressure resulting in stretching of the elastic thread. The stretching of the elastic thread in turn stretches the strap and pulls the apparel which results in the displacement of the movable parts creating an impression of the animation. The elastic thread attached to the insignia and the apparel helps the animated part to revert to the normal position when the arm comes to rest.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part in the normal position of the arms according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 describes the system and the arrangement of moving parts/insignia as depicted in the FIG. 5 in which animate part consist of double layered cloth punctuated by a recess or eyelets' to allow movement of the movable parts (14)/insignia (4).

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear sectional view of the animate part (2) in the displaced position according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. It depicts the position of the assembly of the FIG. 6 when the apparel with the end of the string is pulled, which generate extra pressure resulting in stretching of the elastic thread and said assembly gets tilted due to the stretching of the elastic thread and in turn stretches and pulls the strap/string results in the displacement of the moving parts/insignia creating an impression of the animation.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described herein is intended to represent only one embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative features within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIGURES REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1. Wearing Apparel -   2. Animate part -   3. Design Motif printed/Indicia -   4. Patch/Badge/Insignia -   5. First recess/slit on the animate part -   6. Second recess/slit on the animate part -   7. Position of arm when still -   8. Position of arm backward movement -   9. Fusing fabric -   10. Strap/String/rope -   11. Elastic thread -   12. Displaced position -   13. Stitching -   14. Moving parts 

We claim:
 1. An entertainment device comprising: a) an apparel or a garment meant to be worn on the upper part of the body depicting at least one portion of an animate part in the front part of the apparel, b) an animate part comprising of an indicia such as design or motif, an insignia such as patch or a badge loosely affixed to said apparel and an interlock system affixed to the internal side of the front part of the apparel, c) means for inducing animation in said apparel attached to said animate part comprising an interlock system affixed to the rear side of the front part of the apparel displaying at least one portion of said animate part.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inducing animation comprises string, strap, deformable elastic thread etc. movable manually or by the movement of the apparel user.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said animate part is fused with fusing fabric material to provide stiffness and retaining the shape of the insignia in the same entertainment device.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interlock system has moving parts loosely attached to rear side of cloth of apparel, which allow displacement of said moving parts being attached/stitched to the said means for inducing animation at the predetermined position on the rear side of animate part.
 5. The animate part as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insignia is loosely stitched with at least one of the means for inducing animation.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inducing animation attached to said animate part is linked to the position of the movement through a slit created on the cloth of the animate part at a pre-determined position.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicia is any discriminating mark, sign, token, indication or appearance on any object.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insignia is a badge or some symbols mounted on a particular object.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inducing animation is inserted through at least one slit and stitched adjacent to the armpit region at the front part of the apparel in a manner such that at least one fold is created due to said stitch.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fold generates extra pressure induced by the displacement due to the movement of the arms, enabling simulation of animation in said entertainment device.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said animate part further comprises at least one additional layer of fabric material stitched inside the apparel for protecting the user's body from said means for inducing animation and said animate part.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicia and insignia mounted on the apparel is covered by an additional layer such as transparent fabric material including nylon, plastic sheet etc. 